Twitter has put on hold its $8 per month verification plan known as ‘Twitter Blue’ as a result of controversies that trailed it’s use.
The Internal note reads: “An update on what we did tonight: hid the entry point to Twitter Blue, added the ‘official’ label for ONLY advertisers. Note: here is at least one way for users to sign up for Blue. Legacy Blue users can go to subscriptions and upgrade
Impersonation problems with Twitter Blue“
Elon Musk had shortly after his takeover of Twitter announced new changes to the platform’s modus operandi and this included the introduction of s payment plan for Twitter Blue, which provide anyone who could afford to pay $8 a month with a verification badge.
The verification badge in the form of a ‘blue check’ was earlier introduced to curb impersonation for celebrities, politicians, journalists, and accounts with very large followings.
But since the introduction of a payment plan for it, internet trolls took advantage of it and opened several parody accounts for popular entities so far they can pay the fee.
One of such parody accounts was that of Lebron James, that had posted a request to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, causing confusion.
Another one is a parody account for former President George Bush which tweeted, “I miss killing iraquis”, and another account that impersonated the electric vehicle manufacture, Tesla.
Elon Musk in his reaction to the parody inclinations had yesterday tweeted:
“Going forward, accounts engaged in parody must include ‘parody’ in their name, not just in bio,” and added, “To be more precise, accounts doing parody impersonations. Basically, tricking people is not ok.”
Popular news medium, Reuters had reported that the new $8 subscription option for the blue verification check had disappeared.
App researcher Jane Manchun Wong, had posted:
“Twitter seems to have unlaunched the new $7.99 Twitter Blue subscription,”
“Checked with Twitter’s API and the in-app purchase for Twitter Blue Verified is no longer listed for production.”
The suspension of the Twitter Blue verification plan may be seen as a policy reversal that will discourage advertisers away from the social media site, amid confusion on the next line of action.
The decision of Elon Musk to up the revenue earnings of Twitter may have a ripple effect as this has ironically led to a revenue decline.
The Wall Street Journal WSJ had reported that Chief Twir Musk had in a Thursday meeting told staffer’s that bankruptcy is possible for the company.
Aside the monetisation of the Twitter Blue, Elon Musk has made several vital changes to the company and this included the firing of the former CEO, CFO, and head of its legal department the day he took over.
There are also multiple reports that the content moderation head, chief information security officer, chief privacy officer, and its chief compliance officer have left the company.
Ayoola Faseyi, an Abuja based Journalist with interest in Technology and Politics. He is a versatile writer with articles in many renowned News Journals.He is the Co-Founder of media brand, The Vent Republic.
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